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.-4 C\l .-4 o -:-:! ''':-"J SOCio-Economic Factors Pooulation. Emolovment and Housinq - Mesa County is the regional trading center for much of western Colorado. Energy development in the region during the 1970's included rapid growth in the county population. Beginning in 1982, outmigration became significant due to a sharp decline in all aspects of energy development. In recent years the area has been recovering the momentum of growth. Mesa County employment increased from 22,300 in 1970 to 37,000 in 1980, an average growth rate of 5.2 percent. Keeping with trends toward farm consolidation and urban growth, a decline occurred in farming and farm labor in the area from 1970 to 1980 at a rate nearly double state and national rates. Recent trends indicate recovery within the county. In 1989 the average workforce was 41,450 and the unemployment rate was 6.9 percent. The February 1989 unadjusted unemployment rate was 9.5 percent while the same figure for 1990 was 8.0. An excess of housing existed in Mesa county in the late 1980's and an adequate supply of housing is still available. Construction of any of the alternatives would create direct (contractor and government) employment. Because the construction of Reach lA and Reach lB would span approximately 3 years each, the employment and income increases would create a short-term impact on alleviating unemployment and increasing personal income, both positive effects on the local economy. Losses in agricultural employment and income due to permanent and temporary reductions of acreages would be slight compared to acreages in production valleywide. Because the grape and wine industry at Palisade is small and localized, the impacts of temporary ROW acquisition will be proportionately greater to this industry. Because lining the canal would reduce seepage into the downslope agricultural fields, production there could increase. The incremental differences of the effect of the alternatives on the local economy are not discernible. The primary construction season for the canal lining would come during the non-irrigation season which coincides with the off season for construction workers. with the skilled labor force available in the county and the short construction period, significant immigration is not anticipated and impacts on housing, schools, and other services should be minor. Reach 2 construction has not been scheduled. Local Effects - As discussed in the FEIS, the construction would cause temporary disruptions along the canal corridor which would affect access to property as well as create noise, dust, and visual disturbance. Disruption is most significant when these effects occur near homes or businesses. To reduce disruptions and delays. protection measures would be included in construction specifications. Construction specifications would require the contractor to provide access to private property and would limit 32